Updated: 21 Jul 2026 15:49 BST | 4 min read
Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea, 2025/26
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© IMAGO
Tom Weber
Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.
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Aston Villa have made a formal bid for Chelsea outcast Alejandro Garnacho, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Argentine is already surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, despite only arriving in a €46.2 million deal from Man Utd last year. Chelsea had spent all summer chasing Garnacho, only for the 22-year-old to flop in West London.
The winger has endured a significant fall from grace in recent years. Garnacho was once among Man Utd's biggest prospects, but he now firmly finds himself in the same category of wasted talents as Jadon Sancho.
What do Garnacho and Sancho have in common? Both have played for Man Utd and Chelsea. The latter also suited up for Aston Villa last season - and now Garnacho could follow suit.
According to transfer insider Romano, the Birmingham club have made an "official" offer for the young forward. Discussions are currently centred on an initial loan with a permanent element.
Aston Villa want Garnacho
Villa are in the process of beefing up their options ahead of their return to the Champions League. Unai Emery and Roberto Olabe are going big in the market - and they have to.
Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea, Youri Tielemans has been poached by Man Utd, Luca Digne is on his way to PSG and Ollie Watkins is being chased by Fenerbahce. Moreover, Amadou Onana will miss most of the season after suffering an ACL injury at the World Cup.
Alejandro Garnacho
© IMAGO - Alejandro Garnacho
Major signings are imperative, and Villa have already spent €100m on Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes. Thanks to the €138m they have banked for Rogers, they can spend freely this summer.
Garnacho's name was raised during the talks with Chelsea over Rogers, and it is possible that Villa agreed to sign one or several players from the Blues to return the favour to the London club for effectively solving all of their financial issues.
That's exactly what the two did in 2024 when they effectively swapped Omari Kellyman and Ian Maatsen to solve their Profitability and Sustainability Rules problems. Chelsea have repeatedly breached spending rules, so eyebrows were raised when they committed to spending €138m on Rogers.
Besides Garnacho, Villa and Chelsea have also discussed a possible deal for Nicolas Jackson. A move to Birmingham would make sense given the interest in Watkins. The Senegal striker reportedly wants to fight for his place at Chelsea, but the Blues currently have too many striker options.
As for Garnacho, it does not appear as though Chelsea - who want to sell him this summer - accepted Villa's initial bid, but negotiations over a possible deal are now in full swing. Simultaneously, Villa are in discussions with the player regarding personal terms.
The Argentine has also been the subject of offers from AS Roma. However, because Chelsea favour a sale, the Serie A giants seem to have pivoted to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, for whom they have already made three bids in recent days.
It looks as though Garnacho may stay in the Premier League this summer - but he certainly won't be at Chelsea next season.